The sold sign went up this week at the former Bella's Italian Meat Market building on N. Richmond Street in Appleton. / Maureen Wallenfang/Post-Crescent Media

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Maureen Wallenfang

Post-Crescent Media

The vacant Bella’s Italian Meat Market has been empty for two and a half years.

Now it’s getting revamped to accommodate a new incoming restaurant called Java Warung that will serve Indonesian and Malaysian foods.

Enny Pickett, originally from Indonesia, is owner and chef. Her husband David is currently renovating the space at 1915 N. Richmond St.

It will be at least a month before the building is finished and brought back to life with the scent of lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, curry and other exotic spices.

“All of the spices we use are fresh spices,” Enny Pickett said. “I myself will blend the spices. They’re not store bought.”

She said she doesn’t use MSG and that her dishes are low in sodium. Vegetarians will be happy to learn that she is determined to have one of the best selection of meatless dishes in the city.

The Java Warung Facebook page has photos of classic Indonesian dishes and a glimpse at the menu in progress.

Before Bella, the building had been a restaurant called Jade Chinese Cuisine and some of its old signs are now visible as renovation progresses. Jade moved across town to Ballard Road in 2004 and reopened as the contemporary GingeRootz Asian Grille.